WESTBROOK – Interim Police Chief Janine Roberts, as well as interim Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte, were sworn in by City Clerk Lynda Adams Monday morning at the Westbrook Public Safety building on Main Street.

The interim positions were announced two weeks ago following the resignation of Michael Pardue, the director of public safety, after nearly four years on the job.

Roberts and Turcotte were sworn in before the entire consolidated department, as well as other city staff, family and friends. Following their oaths, both Turcotte and Roberts, a 28-year police veteran from Portland, recognized Pardue for his work within the department.

“I learned a lot, and have a lot to learn,” Roberts said. “I want to build upon and continue to maintain the good things that are happening in the organization.”

Turcotte called Pardue “a fantastic mentor and leader” for the department, and said he would “strive to fill his shoes.”

Pardue is assisting in the transition until his last day, Oct. 10. Hired in 2010 as a consultant to head the department in its transition to a consolidated format, Pardue led public safety past a string of high-profile sexual harassment claims against the fire department.

On Monday afternoon, the police department received its second harassment claim since August, but Pardue has said his departure had been planned for some time, and was not driven by the recent controversy.

Janine Roberts, Westbrook’s new interim police chief, is congratulated by Mayor Colleen Hilton Monday morning during a swearing-in ceremony performed by City Clerk Lynda Adams, left. Andrew Turcotte was also sworn in as the interim fire chief.